Ex-Chelsea man warns Tottenham, Man United against signing Super Eagles star

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has cast fresh doubt over Victor Osimhen's chances of becoming a success in the Premier League, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen is often rated among the top five centre-forwards in Europe after starring for Napoli and Galatasaray, but Hasselbaink believes England's top flight is a much tougher test than Serie A or La Liga.

Speaking about the Nigerian striker, the former Netherlands international admitted he is not fully convinced Barcelona-linked Osimhen has the qualities needed to dominate in the Premier League.

“Then you've got Osimhen. And I know he's my countryman, but I'm not convinced. I'm not convinced by Osimhen for the Premier League. For Spain? Yes. For Italy? Yes. But for the Premier League, I'm not 100% sure.”

Hasselbaink's comments come at a time when Tottenham are pushing to strengthen their attack under manager Roberto De Zerbi, while Manchester United have also been repeatedly linked with the Nigerian international.

The former Chelsea forward believes the biggest challenge for Osimhen would be adapting to the speed, physical battles and limited scoring opportunities that Premier League defenders allow. He argued that the striker would receive far fewer clear chances than he enjoyed during his successful years in Italy and Turkey.

Why Hasselbaink still prefers Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson

Perhaps the biggest surprise from Hasselbaink's assessment was his strong backing of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.

Despite Jackson receiving criticism for missed chances during his time at Stamford Bridge, Hasselbaink believes the Senegal international offers qualities that are more valuable in modern Premier League football.

He explained:

“I actually really like Nicolas Jackson. People look at me and say, ‘Really, Jimmy?' Yes, I really like him because he brings so much energy to the team. His pressing from the front, his work rate… those things are vital for a successful team.”

Even with Hasselbaink's reservations, Osimhen still features prominently on the wishlist of half of Europe's wealthiest clubs. Tottenham have already opened talks with Galatasaray after an initial offer believed to be between £50 million and £55 million, although the Turkish champions are holding out for much more.

Reports also suggest De Zerbi sees Osimhen as the ideal central striker for his attacking system after following his development during their time in Serie A. The Nigerian has reportedly welcomed the idea of playing in England, although any move would require Tottenham to solve a significant wage issue, as his current salary in Turkey would make him the club's highest-paid player.